Alert: Bi Weekly Update

Anthrax outbreak  in Pirgacha, Rangpur

Bangladesh media reported a mysterious disease outbreak in Rangpur in the last week of August, with around 200 human cases who came in contact with sick livestock. Symptoms initially appeared as rashes, progressing to large sores and eventually, deep wounds.  Investigation  teams from the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research(IEDCR) and  Department of Livestock  Services  identified the outbreak  as anthrax after visiting the infected area in early September. The investigation revealed 15 cattle deaths and the slaughter of 11 cattle for meat consumption. Six meat samples were collected and tested positive for  anthrax. Local health and livestock authorities  intensified outreach awareness campaigns on prevention and  health authorities provided support for case management. DLS also ramped up vaccination efforts, administering 20,000 doses to livestock to control further spread. 

Chattogram district reports over 1800 dengue and 3000 Chikunguniya cases

On September 9, the Civil Surgeon of Chattogram reported that 1,883 people have been hospitalized with dengue in the district so far in 2025. Additionally, 3,148 chikungunya cases have been reported this year. 

New bat borne virus discovered in Australia

Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, have discovered  a  novel henipavirus in Australian flying foxes. The virus, named Salt Gully virus,was detected in bat urine samples collected in Queensland.

Kerala reports fifth amoebic meningoencephalitis death in a month

Kerala reported the fifth death due to amoebic meningoencephalitis in a month, after a patient from Malappuram died on September 8, 2025, while receiving treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare but fatal brain infection caused by free-living amoebae found in freshwater, lakes and rivers. This disease has emerged as a growing public health concern in Kerala. Bangladesh reported a case of amoebic meningoencephalitis in 2014. 

Democratic Republic of the Congo declares Ebola virus disease outbreak
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province, with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, reported as of September 4, 2025.

WHO Publishes Bangladesh’s Second JEE Report
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released Bangladesh’s second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) report, conducted eight years after the first in 2016. Bangladesh is among just 19 countries to complete a second evaluation.

The report highlights commendable achievements in immunization and COVID-19 response but calls for urgent actions: launching a rapid legal review process, establishing a strong monitoring framework, and boosting strategic investments in health systems strengthening  security by optimizing domestic resources. It also emphasizes developing a skilled One Health workforce, reviewing service delivery across human, animal, and environmental sectors, and building a collaborative One Health laboratory and surveillance system 

This information is gathered from both official and unofficial sources and cannot be claimed as official data.